On Vacation with the Real Millionaire Next Door

I believe that money is a tool that should be used to help build the life of your dreams. After you’ve repaid your debt, saved for emergencies, and funded your retirement, anything you have left over is yours to do with as you please.

I never thought I’d reach the “do with as you please” phase personally. It seemed like a pipe dream. But over the past year or so, I actually have found the time and the money to begin pursuing my passions.

One of the things I’m most excited about is travel. After getting a small taste of it (and after having watched every episode of The Amazing Race), I’m eager to see the world outside of Oregon. Kris and I have a big trip planned to France and Italy later this year, and we hope to visit Chile and Argentina in 2012 or 2013, but I want to do more than take big expensive touristy vacations. I want to have adventures, even if they’re small ones.

My recent train ride from Chicago to Portland was one such small adventure. Next year, I hope to free the time and money to hike across England (Hadrian’sWall perhaps). And at this moment, I’m on another of these small adventures.

For the next week, I’ll be on vacation in Alaska. My friend Mac (from Get Fit Slowly) and I are guests of my neighbor, the real millionaire next door. John has been bugging me for years to spend a week on his boat, and now seems like the perfect time to join him on his “yacht”:

Yesterday, Mac and I flew from Portland to Seattle to Juneau to Petersburg. If things went according to plan, we’re just now setting out from Petersburg to make our way around the Inside Passage. We plan to do some salmon fishing and some crabbing (if the season has started) and, eventually, to make our way to Glacier Bay National Park. Next weekend, we’ll end up in Sitka, from which we’ll fly home to Oregon.

I have no idea what sort of internet access I’ll have during this trip, so I’ve taken steps to make sure things run smoothly in my absence. Comment approval is in capable hands. I have a stack of guest posts scheduled for publication in case I’m not able to process posts from me and my staff writers.

I’m excited to pursue this small adventure. More than the other things I’ve accomplished over the past few years, this trip makes me feel like all of my hard work and smart choices are finally paying off. By doing the right things with money, I’m able to use some of it to do the things I’ve always dreamed of.

It’s my hope that your own hard work and smart choices will allow you to pursue your dreams, too.

I grew up in Alaska (Anchorage) and went to school there. We lived in Southeast for five years, and also on Kodiak for 3 years – I think you’re in for a treat. You might get some early Kings, or some steelhead! Can’t wait to hear how much you enjoyed yourself – I hope you step ashore in places where it’s possible, too – nothing like touching that virgin rainforest, covered in emerald moss, with your own hands.

Good for you JD. Far too many financial web sites equate travelling with frivolous spending, but I consider it one of the most important aspects of my life. After paying off the house last year I went to Taiwan for two weeks and this year I’m thinking about going to Vietnam. You just can’t put a dollar value on these kind of life experiences.

PS I used to live in Europe and my girlfriend and I spent a few days hiking on Hadrians Wall.(Near Steel Rigg.) It was beautiful but be prepared to get ‘four seasons in a day’ weather wise!

Commenting to say, though, that “big expensive touristy vacations” are a crappy idea. A good one is the big inexpensive live-like-a-local vacation! If you haven’t done so already, I recommend picking up Rolf Potts’ book, Vagabonding, about how to travel well and have amazing adventures while spending very small amounts of cash.

Wow, have a great time! I love the emphasis on little adventures. I love doing that, and my boyfriend and I are working on taking little trips around the state (Minnesota — new to me but his home stomping grounds) and region as we build up for larger trips.

When you do decide to visit Europe shop carefully for tickets. End of August or May are great summer months to find tickets from either coast for less than $600 with taxes. Once you get here check out Ryan Air and EasyJet. These discounters are how my wife and I get around on the cheap, new planes, NO FRILLS, but my wife and I were able to go from Manchester to Brussels for the weekend for $30 return for the both of us, Ireland is routinely on sale for less than $20 per person return. If you need help contact me.

Hi JD — congrats and have an awesome trip — I heard about the following site / company on the Perrin Post and it sounds right up your alley — it is essentially a tour of Europe that is done in the style of the Amazing Race! I have no connection with the company but it sounds like a fun way to see Europe! http://www.competitours.com/

@Simon- Then, after I die, my estate can be divvied up to whoever *I* deem needs it. After all, who decides what I need and what I don’t? I’m sure someone would say I don’t need seven sewing machines, and over 4000 books, or a motorcycle, or extra fabric, but I do enjoy it, and consider all those an integral part of my life.

JD – this post is exactly what I’ve been trying to tell my friends about my savings. I’m 25 and debt-free. Have a wonderful job and have great future ahead of me if I keep my head straight – but small adventures/trips to rural America is exactly what I want to do with my money. People at my age are way too excited about nice vacation spots, top cities in the world, and nightlife where I’m more focused on visiting world wonders and going to unique places where people want to hear about my trips! good luck and i’m eager to read your post when u come back!

sounds like your about to have a great week, hope the weather works out for you! i am still waiting to get to the point where i have the extra cash around to do these adventures, only a matter of time i hope!

I’ve noticed that most people’s ‘Bucket List’ involves seeing places and doing things, not owning things. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen “paying for a lease on a car I’ll never own” on any of them… Experiences are the things we will take with us for the rest of our lives, if they’re the right ones. I hope that this is that kind of experience for you.

I find what defines me most is living overseas for years, speaking another language (or two), seeing Bob Dylan in concert in Rome, etc. Experiences change the way you think, which is real change.

And get on that England trip. My wife and I hiked the Lakes District and the Bogs (outside of Dublin), and it was some really incredible scenery. Take in Stirling while you’re there, and the London Museum (we only heard how good it was after we’d left and were at the Louvre…).

JD– I hear you on this one . . . My wife and I have often discussed road tripping to see the places I so often flew over right here in the good old US of A! Further, being on the ground in places outside of tourist resorts has a great appeal as well.

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